Author's Note:

Hello people. I am sad to inform you that I will be taking a break from writing for a while. It isn't that I have given up on this story, it's just that I got my results back, and I am not satisfied with my grades, so until it is back up to my standard, I will put this on hold.

But don't fret, I most probably be back next month. I am super sorry and believe me when I say that I would rather be writing than studying. But as it is, my future depends on me getting a good grade this and next year.

For now, I leave you with a sneak peak of what I have written so far. 'Til next time! Enjoy!

~Halvax

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Sneak peak

Third Person POV

"Alright guys! That's enough! Everyone huddle up!" The commanding voice of nine year old Percy sounded through the clearing beside the lake outside of Sparta. He had been following what Chiron adviced him to teach to the Agoge drop outs.

For most of the morining, he had his new trainees go through warm ups so that their bodies could properly prepare for the training they had in store. It turned out that the physical capabilities of most of them were sorely lacking, as simple exercise left the children breathless. However, they did make up for this by their sheer will to prove Sir Artorius wrong.

When everyone was gathered, Percy took a deep breath and said, "Hey everyone. Now that we have finished warming up, I can somewhat tell what you guys need to work on. As you guys are now, you won't have the strength to use a sword nor spear properly. You also don't have the endurance to fight a long battle, let alone a war.

"For the next few days, that's all you're gonna be working on. Bulking up. I will also be teaching you hunting, 'cuz I think that it's a great way to develope stealth, strategy and patience, three things that you will need if you are going to catch your enemy off guard.

"You will all be put on a strict diet, with the sole purpose of raising your strength, stamina and speed. This is similar to the food I ate when I was training. It's not very tasty, but it works.

"So now, we're all going to run 5 laps around the lake, and for every lap you have to do 2 set of twenty push ups, sit up, crunches and pull ups. All of this has to be done within an hour or everyone will have to go another round. I know that it sounds tiring, believe me it is. But you'll be thanking me for it later. Let's get to it!"

With a less than enthusiastic cheer, the trainees lined up and got ready to start their real training. By the time the sun had set, there was not an ex-Agoge member, who was not on the ground trying to forget his sore and aching bodies.

Looking at his students, Percy gave a wide smile. He was right about one thing, the guys were determined. They had not once complained about training. They kept going until the sea prince finally called for a break.

If they kept going on like this, weapons training would be able to start early. After dismissing everyone and reminding them to stick to the diet Chiron had specified, the three friends came together to discuss future plans.

Percy had explained the death of his mother to his friends and they understood that he didn't want their pity, and they respected that, for that, he was greatful. "So what are you going to do about your grandfather and the war?" Grover asked with a slight frown when he said war.

"I'm not sure G-man. With my commitment to you guys, I can't exactly just get up and go. I was planning to postpone my decision for a month and then decide then." Percy answered with a shrug. Malcolm shook his head, shocked that Percy could be so dismissive about this.

"Percy, a lot can happened in a month, let alone three. Minos could be setting things into motion at this very moment. If we're going to act, we have to act soon. I'm not saying that I'm not greatful for everything that you're doing for us, but, you have to really consider your options." The blond haired teen ager adviced.

"Well what do you suggest?" the nine year old asked, genuinely curious about what his friend would suggest. Said friend now had his brows furrowed, his hand stroking his chin, imitating a thinking pose.

"I personally think that you should continue your training some more. Zeus knows that if war was to happened, you'll need to be in your a-game. When your satisfied, I suggest you follow Chiron's advice to go to Crete and seek out your grandfather. If you stay here and meet him during the tournament, there is no guarantee that you will win. Go with Daedalus, and ask for his help." Malcolm answered.

After considering his friend's advice, Percy's eyes shone like it used to when his mother was still alive. "You know what Mal, that may just work. Chiron's never let me down before. Thanks so much! I finally have something." the young sea prince exclaimed, practically bouncing with joy.

Just for that instance, his childhood innocence returned. All of the worries about war and the grief he carried disappeared. For that instance, Percy acted like the kid he was. Grover breathed a sigh of relief, which was unnoticed by the celebrating demigod. 'At least we know he's still capable of having fun.

For a moment there, I thought we had lost the old, carefree Percy.' the nature lover thought. While Malcolm was shaking his head at his younger friend's antics, on the inside he was beaming. He was beginning to think the Percy he had befriended months ago was completely lost.

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That was how the young trainer's schedule continued for the next two weeks. he would do his morning exercises, then head to the lake to begin his friends' training. They would go on until about sundown, having a meal in between. After a light snack, Percy would do more intensive training that Chiron had suggested him to do so as his skills wouldn't deteriorate.

Somewhere along the two weeks, Percy decided that the trainees were ready to start handling weapons, so he started teaching them the very basics. He first accessed their skills and gave them the weapon that went best with each individual's skills. The sea prince had talked to Lysandor about his situation, and the ex trainer agreed to help.

Lysandor had never liked Artorius, and was more than happy that at least some of the children would be prepared for the war. Unfortunately, he could not over rule the chief trainer's decision as the king himself had given Artorius full reign when it came to the Agoge.

"Make sure to train them well. Ares knows that with Artorius' training, the trainees are more likely to accidentally impale themselves than the enemy. Good luck lad, you'll need it." Was what the Spartan said.

The troops were now divided into four divisions. Swordsmen, spearmen, archers and cavalry. Percy mostly worked with the swordsmen and spearmen, while Grover took charge of the cavalry and Malcolm over saw the archers.

The relationship between the trainees have improved over the course of the few weeks. They worked like a well oiled machine, and was starting to look like a real army. The boys did everything with each other and that help increase their teamwork.

The number of trainees also increased, as Artorius' treatment of the Agoge students became harsher, and rumors were spreading throughout the city about Percy being a better teacher.

"So when are you leaving for Crete, Perce?" Grover asked his best friend. The trio were sitting in the tavern that Percy went to get information. It had been a ritual for them to come every other night and discuss the progress of the troops and other matters of importance.

"I got a letter from Icky yesterday, saying that Uncle Daedalus will be here in a few days. He's been told the plan, and agrees with it. He doesn't want the war to happened and says that he'll do his best to help me. He even gave Grandfather a heads up on me, and said that aside from confirming the terms of the treaty between Crete and Sparta, he'll be here to 'fetch me'."

"Did the letter say how King Minos reacted to the news of his 'long lost grandson'?" Malcolm asked. "Well, Icky didn't really give me the full details, but he said that grandfather was uncharacteristically estatic to find out that Orion of Crete was his grandson." Percy replied with a shrug.